Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars

 

The multitude of “healthy” snack bars on the market right now is overwhelming. If you have ever visited this section at Whole Foods, you know what I mean, and you probably left with a headache caused by attempting to decipher the nutritional value of 20 different labels at once. I’ve always been a fan of the Larabars brand; they have a short ingredients list, and those ingredients consist of real food with no fancy words for sugar. Real food makes me real happy.  I particularly love the pecan pie flavor, and with only 3 ingredients: dates, pecans, and almonds–I felt up to the challenge of recreating it.

 

Since they are pecan pie flavored I chose to use mostly pecans, with just a few almonds. I did add a little vanilla and salt to my version, which adds to the pie flavor. My version tastes EXACTLY like the real thing, if not just a touch sweeter. The nutrient breakdown is almost identical too. I now have every intention of recreating the full array of Larabars–the Key Lime Pie flavor is begging me to make them next…

 

Even though Larabars are not a low-calorie snack, nor do they contain the amount of protein I typically recommend for something light, they still are a great, compact, and healthy source of calories. They are a great option for those days when you need a good-for-you snack because you had a long run or an intense workout. On a regular day I’ll typically eat 1/2 a homemade Larabar (because I like a little sweetness) with a higher protein snack like a hard-boiled egg or some tuna with celery. They are definitely the smarter choice over a sugar-filled brownie or cookie.

 

 

[print_this]

{Pecan Pie Larabars}

Save money by easily making your own delicious pecan pie larabars at home. I added vanilla and a little salt to my version, which brings out the sweetness of the dates!

 

Servings: 6

 

Ingredients

1 cup packed dates, pitted

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup almonds

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp unrefined salt

 

Directions
1. Combine dates and vanilla in a food processor, until it becomes a thick paste. Add in nuts and salt and process until dough sticks together.

2. Mold dough into a square on wax paper, and cut into 6 squares.

 

Nutrition info:  220 cal, 15 g fat (1 g sat fat), 27 g carb, 3 g pro, 4 g fiber

[/print_this]

 

What’s your favorite healthy snack bar?